I have been raped or sexually assaulted in the last 10 days

The most important thing after an assault is that you are safe. If you think you are in any danger at all, it is very important that you call the police if it is safe use your phone. They will make sure that you are safe from harm. Call 999 straight away (for textphone, dial 18000) if you think you are in any danger and ask for the police. If you have been injured, tell the police when you speak to them and they will make sure you get the treatment you need.

If you are in a safe place, or with people you trust who can keep you safe, you can contact us any time, day or night, so we can give you the help and support you need. Call us on 0800 183 0023

No matter what time you call us, the person you speak to will be experienced in helping children and young people get the support they need. If the incident happened in the last 10 days, we will arrange for you to be brought to our centre as soon as possible – within an hour or two if we can – so we can look after you.

You may be feeling scared, confused and alone. You might be angry or very upset. You may not feel much at all. Everyone feels differently. All reactions to such an incident are completely normal. But we can’t give you the support that you need until you call us, so please get in contact if you have been sexually abused.

After You Speak to Us

We will arrange for you to visit us as soon as we can. For very recent incidents, we will do our very best to get you to one of our centres within an hour or two. If you are sure that you are completely safe, we ask that you try to do the following things before you visit us to help with any medical and forensic examination:

Avoid having a shower, bath or washing your hands

Avoid cleaning your teeth

Avoid eating or drinking unless you absolutely have to (e.g. for medical reasons)

If you absolutely need a drink, make sure it is non-alcoholic and use a straw if possible. Keep hold of the straw and drink container and store them in a bag

Do not smoke

If you need the toilet, collect a sample of urine if possible. If you can keep this sample in the fridge in a clean container and take a note of the time and date that you used the toilet, this would be very helpful

Keep any toilet tissue you may have used and put it in a bag

Do not brush your hair

Girls should keep any sanitary towels or tampons worn at the time of the incident or since the incident and keep them in separate bags

Keep any used condoms from the incident and keep them in separate bags

If you can avoid changing your clothes, come to us in the same clothes you were wearing during the incident

If you have changed clothes, try and bring the clothes you were wearing during the incident in bags, (unwashed if you haven’t washed them already) with each item kept separate from each other if possible

Bring any bedding from the time of the incident

Bring anything your abuser may have come into contact with in a bag. This includes items such as: a cup they may have drunk from; chewing gum; cigarette ends; items of their clothing; jewellery; any other belongings

Prepare some spare clothes to bring with you when you visit us if you are still wearing clothes from the incident

Try not to disturb the place where the incident happened (except for anything else we have asked you to do on this list) and try to keep everything the same as there may be evidence to collect

Remember: Your safety is the most important thing. If it will put you in danger to take any of these steps, don’t do it. Either contact the police or follow the advice we have given you over the phone.

Please do not worry if you have already done some of these things, there could still be evidence to collect if you get in contact with us as soon as you can.

You can find out what happens when you arrive at our centre by clicking the box below.